Anthony Davis officially named to USA Basketball 19-player roster

LAS VEGAS – When SLAM Magazine recently used its cover to show off the brand-new USA Basketball uniforms that the Americans will be wearing, it chose New Orleans Pelicans power forward Anthony Davis to sport the red, white and blue threads. In yet another sign that the 21-year-old is quickly becoming a prominent face of the national team, Davis made a second appearance on the cover of the popular basketball publication.

Given Davis’ status as a current and future key force for the men’s national team, it was a bit of a formality, but on Monday morning, he was named to the 19-player USAB roster that will attend training camp July 28-Aug. 1 in Las Vegas.

The roster is comprised of many of the NBA’s greatest young players, including the likes of Kevin Durant, Kevin Love, Stephen Curry, Paul George, Blake Griffin, Kyrie Irving and Damian Lillard. Following the training camp later this month in Las Vegas, the USA team will play exhibition friendlies in Chicago and New York City. The 2014 FIBA World Cup will take place Aug. 30-Sept. 14 in Spain.

“We’re excited that USA Basketball time is just around the corner, as we look forward to training camp in Las Vegas at the end of the month,” USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said this morning. “We’ve said often that this national team roster concept is very fluid. There will be additions and deletions for various reasons. At the end of the day, we feel very positive about the roster we have in terms of our training camp. All 19 players have USA Basketball experience. Some have gold-medal winning experience. And we have some young players who are on their way up the ladder, in terms of recognition and talent. We’re excited about the group.”

The Pelicans are also represented on the USA Basketball coaching staff. New Orleans’ Monty Williams was added to Mike Krzyzewski’s staff in 2013.

Colangelo said the USA team's roster will be finalized just prior to its departure to Spain for competition in the World Cup.